Joseph Lavy Receives Seattle Times Footlight Award

Co-Artistic Director Joseph Lavy has received a 2015 Seattle Times Footlight Award for solo acting for his performance as Dr. Glas in The Glas Nocturne! Joseph delivered a profoundly powerful performance, and we couldn’t be more proud to see him honored with a Footlight. Thank you to Misha Berson and all the Seattle Times theatre critics for this acknowledgment.

The Glas Nocturne, a subcultural chamber performance experience for small audiences, has had two limited runs in Seattle and one tour. It garnered strong media reviews in its world premiere run, and a scholarly review is forthcoming in the March 2016 issue of Theatre Journal, which is published by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE).

If you missed the chance to see The Glas Nocturne in 2015, watch for news of a remount or sign up for our waitlist. We plan to bring it back for at least one more run of local performances later in 2016.

Here’s a clip of a segment we call “The Story of the Girl,” filmed during our November tour to the Center for Applied Theatre & Active Culture / New World Performance Lab (Akron OH):

L-R: Joseph Lavy,  Emily Jo Testa, Catherine Lavy, Annie Paladino, and Zhenya Lavy.

#glasnocturne

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Je Suis le Fils de Quelqu’un

Je Suis le Fils de Quelqu’un:
A reflection on touring The Glas Nocturne to Akron OH, November 2015

By Joseph Lavy

“You have the song. You must ask yourself where this song began.” ~J. Grotowski

 

I can’t seem to write the post I want to write.

I want to write a long meditation on heritage and homecomings;
about artistic fathers and family re-membered
over coffee and broken bread;
how the past and the present converged
over wine and rillettes
and how a bottle of aquavit can almost reach the Hour of the Wolf.

I want to write a treatise about the fallacy of linear time

and a Thanksgiving hymn of gratitude
to my colleagues for their faith, talents, and work,
to our hosts for their hospitality,
for artistic homes;

a cry of deep joy
sprung from meeting the challenges of
transforming our performance from one sort of
intimacy to another,
without loss or sacrifice;

a profound parable
of returning and laying it all on the line
before those people–visible and invisible–
who matter the most
and who prove that you are not a vagabond
but that you come from some country,
some landscape
which is still there
and which is you
near or far.

“The Story of the Girl,” segment from Akropolis Performance Lab’s The Glas Nocturne,  Saturday, November 21, 2015, at The Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture/New World Performance Lab in Akron OH.  L-R: Joseph Lavy,  Emily Jo Testa, Catherine Lavy, Annie Paladino, and Zhenya Lavy.

Tommer Peterson’s play selected for Jan Salon

Playwright Tommer Peterson

Playwright Tommer Peterson

The New Year New Play Salon, held annually since 2014, features the work of a Pacific Northwest playwright and/or Pacific Northwest themes. A team of four evaluated all the submissions for 2016, and we are delighted to announce that out of a very competitive pool of applicants, the play selected to be read at our January 17 New Year New Play Salon is Tommer Peterson’s No One on Board Took Notice.

Perhaps best known for his work as a designer, Peterson also has authored or co-authored several plays, including Va-Va-Va-Voom and (with KJ Sanchez) two documentary plays: Night at the Opera (2012) and Duck Soup (2011).

No One on Board Took Notice starts from a simple yet infinitely complex premise: What we see is largely determined by where we stand…. or perhaps even more by where we choose to gaze and what we choose to remember.

Learn more about Peterson and this exciting new play.

APL Offers Voice Workshop in Ohio

Co-Artistic Director Zhenya Lavy will lead a voice workshop — The Awakened Voice: Vocal Empowerment Through Song — in Akron OH on November 22. In this dynamic, vocal workout, which is hosted by Wandering Aesthetics, Zhenya will share tools and techniques she’s developed through 25 years of practical research to

  • awaken your complete instrument
  • expand your expressive capacity
  • build mindful, engaged, precise strategy for approaching song in the context of theatrical performance that is deeply musical but not musical theatre

Please help us get the word out to everyone interested in taking their vocal expressivity to the next level! We hope to see many of our Ohio friends there! Links of interest:

Click here for complete information, including the online registration form.

 

*** Reminder: This workshop is scheduled in coordination with Akropolis Performance Lab’s Ohio performances of The Glas Nocturne, Nov 20 (8pm) & Nov 21 (2pm & 8pm), which are presented by Akron’s Center for Applied Theatre and Active Culture/New World Performance Lab. Click here to reserve tickets for the performance! ***

The Doctor Returns! Glas Nocturne reopens Nov 5

We are thrilled to announce that we are remounting The Glas Nocturne in Seattle (Nov 5-7 & 12-14) and in Akron OH (Nov 20-21)! The Ohio tour is hosted by Akron’s Center for Applied Theatre & Active Culture / New World Performance Lab. It’s our first tour out of Washington State, and we can’t wait to share this potent piece with new audiences.

Check out our new Glas trailer video, too!

 

Learn more about our Ohio host, the Center for Applied Theatre & Active Culture / New World Performance Lab, on their website.

Calling Youth to Audition for Inaugural Apprentice Ensemble

REGISTER-80X25

Pomegranate & Ash (2015, On the Boards Open Studio) | Apprentice Linnea Ingalls & Associate Trevor Young Marston | Photo: Joe Patrick Kane

Pomegranate & Ash (Feb 2015, On the Boards) | 2014-15 Apprentice Linnea Ingalls & APL Associate Trevor Young Marston | Photo: Joe Patrick Kane

Akropolis Performance Lab, Seattle’s premiere ensemble-based theatre company since 2000, is looking for youth ages 14 to 19 to form an Apprentice Ensemble. This is an outstanding opportunity to be part of building something completely new in Seattle!

The first youth performance opportunity of its kind in the region, APL’s Apprentice Ensemble develops the personal and professional performing skills of its young members through a year-long relationship with an established company.

We seek high school aged performers with a passion for thinking outside-the-box, as well as a sincere commitment to artistic exploration and an interest in ensemble development, learning advanced techniques, and creating original performances.

Youth from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to audition.

No prior acting experience is required.

APPRENTICE COMMITMENTS WILL INCLUDE:

  • Training Sessions: 2 Saturdays per month, 10:00 am to 1:15 pm, Sand Point location
    • Physical: engage in a range of activities that not only tone the body and build endurance but also develop kinesthetic intelligence, physical creativity, and practical understanding of fundamental performance principles.
    • Vocal: work with a broad spectrum of traditional songs to improve listening, expand range and resonance, explore harmonics, and establish vocal confidence
    • Acting: practice individual and group studies in applying a method of physical action to the creation of actor-generated performance, focusing on given circumstances, task, intention, and action across a spectrum of performance styles.
  • Regular opportunities to train and interact with APL’s main company
  • Mentorship by an established APL Artistic Associate
  • Performance of an original piece devised by the Apprentice Ensemble under direction of APL’s Artistic Directors (Spring 2016)
  • Leadership opportunities in APL’s Summer 2016 Youth Workshops

ABOUT THE AUDITION:

The audition will be a 2-day workshop-style experience involving physical activities, work with song, and creative play with non-verbal action. No monologue or other preparation required.

  • Dates – October 3 & 4 (attendance both days is required)
  • Times – 12:00 – 3:00 pm
  • Location – Sand Point area
  • Dress – appropriately for physical movement
  • Bring – water bottle, towel, healthy snack
  • Prepare to sweat and work in bare feet

Sign up to audition HERE!

Meet our New Artistic Associates

2015 Ensemble Membership ChangesSeptember brings exciting changes for Akropolis Performance Lab as we welcome five new Artistic Associates.

Emily Jo Testa and Linnea Ingalls, who participated in 2014-15 as Artistic Apprentices, have earned promotion to full membership as Artistic Associates. Both were strong contributors during their apprenticeships, performing in Pomegranate & Ash and The Glas Nocturne, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration.

We are thrilled to begin working with three new artists: Matthew Sherrill, Nick Rempel, and Tyler Polumsky. The range of experience they bring to Akropolis is truly impressive. They already have leapt into our twice-weekly physical and vocal training sessions, as well as work on music for our upcoming production of Ecce Faustus.

This brings APL’s core ensemble to eleven, as our new Associates join continuing members Annie Paladino (Associate Artistic Director), Joseph Lavy (Founder & Co-Artistic Director), Margaretta Campagna, Sara Kaus, Trevor Young Marston, and Zhenya Lavy (Founder & Co-Artistic Director).

Please join us in congratulating Emily Jo and Linnea and in welcoming Matt, Nick, and Tyler!

Learn more about all our new members here.

 

 

 

Playwrights, send your new scripts!

(L-R) Playwright Stacy Flood takes notes on the discussion about his new play, The Pleasure & Sorrow of Your Company, as fellow playwrights Olivia Pi-Sunyer and Ina Chang listen. | Photo: Zhenya Lavy

(L-R) Playwright Stacy Flood takes notes on the discussion about his new play, The Pleasure & Sorrow of Your Company, as fellow playwrights Olivia Pi-Sunyer and Ina Chang listen. | January 2015 New Year New Play Salon | Photo: Zhenya Lavy

We are now accepting submissions for our annual New Year New Play Salon. Entering its third year, this popular New Year New Play Salon features the work of a Pacific Northwest playwright and/or Pacific Northwest themes.  Check out our guidelines, and help us spread the word to area playwrights!

Submission Deadline: Nov 1
Notifications Made: Dec 11

Mephisto Cast Announced

L-R: Gustaf Gründgens, Erika Mann, Pamela Wedekind, Klaus Mann | At the time this photo was taken, Erika was engaged to Gustaf but was having an affair with Pamela, who was engaged to marry Klaus, who was romantically involved with Gustaf.  They also were appearing in Klaus's play, Anja und Esther, based on the affair between Erika and Pamela.

L-R: Gustaf Gründgens, Erika Mann, Pamela Wedekind, Klaus Mann | At the time this photo was taken, Erika was engaged to Gustaf but was having an affair with Pamela, who was engaged to marry Klaus, who was romantically involved with Gustaf. They also were appearing in Klaus’s play, Anja und Esther, based on the affair between Erika and Pamela.

Our October 11 Sunday Salon reading of Klaus Mann’s Mephisto, as adapted for stage by Ariane Mnouchkine, is not to be missed! We have assembled a thrilling cast of local talent to illuminate Mann’s unforgettable and largely autobiographical collection of socialists and incipient fascists as they react to Hitler’s ascension and make fatal choices about art and life.

THE CAST

Klaus Mann/Sebastian Bruckner – Craig Bradshaw
Hendrik Hofgen – Brandon J. Simmons
Carola Martin – Tracy Michelle Hughes
Hans Miklas  – Tyler Polumsky
Theresa von Herzfeld / Emelyne – Valerie Curtis-Newton
Otto Ulrich – Joseph Lavy
Myriam Horowitz / Actor – Emily Jo Testa
Alex / Tyler Trerise
Magnus Gottchalk / Thomas Bruckner – Carter Rodriquez
Mrs. Efeu – Eva Doak
Knurr / Publisher – Dean Wilson
Juliette / Lorenz / Ludwig – Ayo Tushinde
Erika Bruckner  / General Fonnesique – Alex Highsmith
Nicoletta von Niebuhr – Sara Kaus
Theophile Sarder / Hans Josthinkel – Ben Gonio

Join us October 11 for what promises to be an exciting reading and lively discussion!
More information and RSVP.

Now Auditioning Men for Ensemble Membership

Clairvoyant | Emily Jo Testa, Henry James Walker, Joseph Lavy & Sara Kaus | Photo: Joe Patrick Kane

Pomegranate & Ash (2015 at On the Boards) | “Clairvoyant” | Emily Jo Testa, Henry James Walker, Joseph Lavy & Sara Kaus | Photo: Joe Patrick Kane

Akropolis Performance Lab seeks male artists with baritone or bass singing voices for ensemble membership. The audition process, which will include a preliminary interview and several practical working sessions with APL, will be held during the month of August. We recommend requesting an invitation to audition before August 15.

This is a rare opportunity to work with an established and highly regarded ensemble-based company with deep artistic lineage and an international reputation. APL is committed to rigorous work in a highly focused and personally supportive environment. Our aesthetic signature is Theatre of Polyphony. We seek artists with a sincere commitment to ensemble development, a strong connection to or curiosity about their cultural heritage, and a desire to explore their individual potential through the vehicle of performance prioritized as artistic expression over commercial endeavor.

Committed to strengthening a more multicultural artistic community and the principle of diversity, we strongly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups.

For complete details about this call and information about how to request an invitation to audition, click HERE.